In a new international achievement reflecting its unwavering humanitarian commitment, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made a significant leap in its international philanthropy record, ranking second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries of humanitarian and relief aid for 2025. This ranking, according to the latest data issued by the United Nations Financial Tracking Service (FTS), reinforces the Kingdom's position as a leading soft power in the field of international charitable work.
Absolute leadership in supporting Yemen and Syria
UN reports have revealed the pivotal role the Kingdom plays in regional stability, topping the list of donor countries to Yemen and providing 49.3% of total international aid to the country. This generous support has not been limited to food and medicine, but has also included development projects aimed at strengthening infrastructure and bolstering the Yemeni economy.
In the same context, the Kingdom ranked second globally as the largest donor of aid to the Syrian Arab Republic, which confirms the comprehensiveness of the Saudi humanitarian vision that does not differentiate between race or religion, but rather focuses on the human being wherever he is.
Historical and institutional context: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center
This achievement is not a coincidence, but rather the result of organized institutional work led by the Kingdom for decades, culminating in the establishment of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center in 2015. The Center has served as the Kingdom's humanitarian arm, unifying relief efforts to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most efficiently. These efforts are aligned with the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to enhance the Kingdom's international presence and its active participation in addressing global crises.
Development aid figures for 2024
Looking back a bit, the 2024 report showed Saudi Arabia's excellence in development aid, where the Kingdom achieved:
- Second in providing development assistance among non-member donor countries (out of 16 countries).
- Ranked tenth globally among all donor member and non-member countries (out of 48 countries) in terms of the volume of aid.
Saudi Aid Platform: Transparency and Documentation
Commenting on this achievement, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah, Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, explained that these figures are meticulously documented through the “Saudi Aid Platform.” This platform is the largest of its kind in the region, ensuring the documentation of every riyal spent on humanitarian work, thus enhancing the Kingdom’s credibility in international forums.
Al-Rabeeah stressed that the Kingdom’s leading role in the humanitarian field is a true reflection of the directives of the wise leadership - may God support them - which places human life and dignity above all considerations, noting that this institutional approach, supported by the vision of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Crown Prince, has played the biggest role in achieving these advanced positions.
Regional and international impact
The continued flow of Saudi aid directly contributes to alleviating humanitarian crises in conflict zones and reduces the waves of refugees and displaced persons that burden the international community. Through this ongoing generosity, the Kingdom affirms that it is an inexhaustible source of goodness, committed to its moral and Islamic responsibilities towards affected populations across the globe.
